I won’t hold back stars says Pulis
TONY PULIS claims he will never stop his players moving on to better themselves.
And the Middlesbrough manager insists that if Adama Traore and Ben Gibson quit the Riverside, they will leave with his blessing.
Premier League newcomers Wolves are set to trigger an £18million release clause in Traore’s contract while Burnley have tabled an improved £13m offer for Gibson, having had an initial bid rejected.
Pulis is resigned to the pair leaving by Thursday’s transfer deadline. He just wishes the deals had happened weeks ago.
The Boro manager admits the side he sends out at Millwall today will bear little resemblance to the one he hopes will emerge as genuine promotion contenders.
The club spent more than £40m in a desperate bid to reclaim top-flightstatus a year ago and were beaten by Aston Villa in the play-off semifinals. Pulis does not have such funds available now.
The 60-year-old, a manager since 1992, is no lover of the current transfer window.
“I saw it coming, the club have seen it coming,” he said of the imminent departures of Traore and Gibson.
“It’s so frustrating that it is last minute. Everyone waits and waits thinking they will get the best deal.
“It builds up to a tipping point. We should go back to the old system which continues all the way through.” Following on from Patrick Bamford’s £10m move to Leeds, Pulis is aware that many fans will not be happy to see two more big players leaving but he is unapologetic.
“I had this issue with the people at West Brom when I signed Jonny Evans for £6m,” said Pulis. “The big thing was I thought I could improve him and eventually I felt he would go back into the top six.
“We couldn’t stand in his way. I am a great believer that stopping someone from moving on is not the right thing.
“At the start of last season Arsenal and Manchester City
offered really good money for Jonny and the chairman decided he wasn’t going to sell. “But being a professional manager, it’s very difficult to stop individuals playing at a higher level as long as clubs are compensated. “There has to be that respect for players, giving them the best opportunity. To have someone at the club who is not happy can be damaging. “The players have the choice. What we have to do is make sure we look after the club and know where the next one is. “This club has spent a hell of a lot on recruitment but if Ben goes, I think we have the ideal replacement in Dael Fry. “We do want to strengthen but I’m not going to buy eight or nine from wherever, throw mud at the wall and hope one or two stick.” Youngsters Lewis Wing, who was playing for Northern League Shildon 18 months ago, and teenager Harry Chapman are in line for their debuts at Millwall with summer buy Paddy McNair, Danny Ayala and Rudy Gestede all doubtful. “We’re well behind where we want to be and we have to accept that,” said Pulis. “Fingers crossed we will soon be in a better place.”